Best Place to Live between Alpharetta and Georgia Tech (Sandy Springs: commute, moved)

[aries4118]

Perimeter Area.

[andy1324]

Originally Posted by DaBurgh

"Why is there a no to Marietta?"

I wouldn't want to commute from Marietta to Alpharetta during rush hours. Anything East to West or West to East in the metro is a hassle, it seems. Test it out, maybe it won't bother you though.

This is a bit misleading. Marietta addresses span a very large area, with the city of Marietta very small, centered around 75 and 120. East Cobb, with a Marietta address, is very close to Alpharetta and would offer a good commute. The city of Marietta or any points west, yes that would be a very long commute to Alpharetta.

[DaBurgh]

Originally Posted by andy1324

This is a bit misleading. Marietta addresses span a very large area, with the city of Marietta very small, centered around 75 and 120. East Cobb, with a Marietta address, is very close to Alpharetta and would offer a good commute. The city of Marietta or any points west, yes that would be a very long commute to Alpharetta.

I lived in that area and still wouldn't want the commute, but as I mentioned OP can try it out for himself

[viningsgt]

Start your search around Perimeter / Sandy Springs. East Cobb to Alpharetta is very doable, but save that for when you have a couple of kids. Live a little bit before you move out there, just my opinion.

[Tarzanman]

Originally Posted by GTSky

Hi Everyone. I have a dilemma. I just graduated from Georgia Tech and accepted an offer in Alpharetta, GA. My girlfriend works near Georgia Tech. I am planning to get engaged to her within the next year and also plan to save up for a townhouse or condo for us to live in. The problem is I don't know where. From my research, it seems like Sandy Springs or Marietta would be the best places to live to ensure we both have reasonable commutes and live in a good area. I was wondering what would be the best place to live between these two areas that is the best for both of us. My main concerns are commute time, low crime rates, and good school districts(for potential resale value). Thank you for all of your help in advance!

TL;DR GF works near Georgia Tech. I will work in Alpharetta. What is the best place to live in between with good commute times and low crime rates? Thank you!

Congratulations. I'm a Tech grad myself and I spent 7 years living up the 400 corridor in off of exit 7 in Roswell.

The short answer is: Lindbergh, but you'll have a 30 min commute.

Long answer:
The answer to your question depends on where in Alpharetta you will be working. If your office is close to 400 and not any further north than Old Milton Pkwy (exit 10), then I would strongly consider living within the perimeter, close to midtown, Lindbergh, or anywhere that gives you quick access to GA400 (like certain parts of Buckhead, or even Sandy Springs). Perimeter might even do in a pinch, but your girlfriend will have a 30+ minute commute to Tech from there in heavy traffic.

If you are deep into Alpharetta (Windward pkwy or maybe far off of GA400 near Johns Creek or Milton) then look at anywhere between 285 and exit 6 to put her near the MARTA station. MARTA is not ideal for her, but it will give her a viable alternative to making it to and from GT campus when traffic is heavy.

I would not worry too much about school districts for your first house purchase and before you are married. Even if your gf got pregnant last week, it would still be another 4-5 years before you'd have to start worrying about what school district you're in.

In light traffic, Alpharetta and Tech are about 30 minutes apart. In rush hour, this almost doubles and there is not really a happy medium between the two. Lots of back ups where 400 merges into 85 (and the downtown connector) and lots of back-ups around 285 and farther north near exit 7 and 8 up GA 400. *Someone* is going to have to deal with traffic.

[dblackga]

Sandy Springs, Dunwoody or Brookhaven would be ideal - they are all close to MARTA, which could be something that your GF might find to be attractive to commute to Ga. Tech. I think Ga. Tech participates in a MARTA program that provides subsidized rail passes that might make it cost effect, plus it's convenient in bad weather, or if a car is out of commission, etc. East Cobb would work well for you, but she would have the issue of getting across the river, and let's face it, there's only so many bridges.

[Tarzanman]

East Cobb to Alpharetta is not a good commute.

[AfternoonCoffee]

Originally Posted by viningsgt

Start your search around Perimeter / Sandy Springs. East Cobb to Alpharetta is very doable, but save that for when you have a couple of kids. Live a little bit before you move out there, just my opinion.

As someone who lives in East Cobb, I agree with this.^^

[AfternoonCoffee]

Originally Posted by Tarzanman

East Cobb to Alpharetta is not a good commute.

Depends where you're coming from in East Cobb, and where you're going to in Alpharetta.

And how you define "good commute"

[GTSky]

Thank you so much everyone! It sounds like Perimeter Area(Sandy Springs/Dunwoody) is the general consensus with East Cobb and Brookhaven behind those two. I think that I will look in all of these areas. Does anyone have any other crucial information about any of these areas that would help me to narrow my scope? Thanks again.